Finally free | Meet Chelsea Manning in full colour
Chelsea Manning has celebrated her release from prison with the first full colour picture of herself as a proudly transgender woman. On Thursday, Manning posted the photographic portrait on Instagram, just a day after being set free. She looked radiant with a stylish strawberry blonde pixie cut. Manning commented alongside the picture: “Okay, so here […]
PLUS, Africa’s first LGBTI business network, has been launched
Africa’s first organisation that will promote the interests of LGBTI owned businesses and LGBTI entrepreneurs and employees was launched in Johannesburg on Wednesday night. Named PLUS, the network is a groundbreaking initiative of The Other Foundation, which advances equality and freedom in southern Africa, with a focus on sexual orientation and gender identity. PLUS aims […]
SA Human Rights Commission confirms it’s investigating Gretha Wiid
Following her recent “apology”, the SA Human Rights Commission has confirmed that it is going ahead with an investigation into Gretha Wiid’s published views on homosexuality. Wiid is a Christian relationship “expert” who has become something of a celebrity in the Afrikaans community. An excerpt from one of her advice books for young people on […]
Indonesian religious court sentences two gay men to 85 lashes
Two gay men found “guilty” of having sex in Indonesia have been sentenced to 85 lashes in public with a cane. The men, both in their early twenties, were at home in Banda Aceh on 28 March when a group of vigilantes forced their way in and dragged them to the police. Cell phone video footage […]
Homophobia, transphobia and biphobia behind high HIV infection rates
The WeTheBrave campaign says that the LGBTI community is bedeviled by high infection rates due to stigma and discrimination. In a statement to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) on May 17, the Anova Health Institute – the organisation behind WeTheBrave – cited troubling statistics. A recent survey, commissioned by the […]
Slow progress to legalise homosexuality, but Africa remains worst offender
The number of countries that criminalise consensual, private same-sex sexual activity between adults has decreased to 72, but Africa remains the most homophobic region. The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) has launched the 12th edition of its annual State-Sponsored Homophobia report on laws persecuting and protecting people on the basis of […]
Five unresolved cases of LGBTI hate and injustice you need to know
Activists from the Love Not Hate Campaign are this month highlighting five hate crime cases that reflect the appalling level of injustice and inequality faced by LGBTI victims. Not only did four of the individuals documented here suffer horrifically, but their family and friends have been further traumatised by an inept and uncaring criminal justice […]
Watch the amazing musical trailer for the return of Will & Grace
Why throw together snippets from a show for a cheap trailer when you can make a unique and magical five minute creation instead? That’s what the cast and crew of Will & Grace just did! Released on Monday, the trailer for the upcoming revival depicts the iconic sitcom’s cast coming together in their old studio […]
Is South Africa helping Kenya censor LGBTQ expression?
Following an agreement with South Africa, Kenya’s censors are embarking on a “major crackdown” on online platforms that “promote activities” such as homosexuality. Capital News reports that Ezekiel Mutua, CEO of the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB), said that the board would work with the Cybercrime Police Unit, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and service […]
Soweto lesbian raped and stoned to death a day before starting new job
An openly lesbian woman from Soweto has been brutalised and murdered in a suspected hate crime, the day before starting her promising new job. On Sunday, the half naked body of 27-year-old Lerato Tambai Moloi, described by activists as a “butch” lesbian, was found in Naledi Ext. She was discovered by community members who were cutting […]